Business Expressions

What does 'It's out of the question' mean in this situation?

Shop Assistant: 'Can I go home early today?

Manager: 'It's out of the question. We're very busy today and we need everybody here.'

• To ask somebody to work longer

• To say 'no' to a suggestion that somebody has made

• To tell somebody they have to work harder than they currently are

Answer explanation

It's out of the question:(expression) This is normally used in business English when a person has suggested doing something and you tell them 'no'. But this is stronger than just saying 'no'. By using this expression you are saying that the thing the person has suggested 'will never happen' or 'must not happen'. So if you want to be polite, don't use it.

What does 'pull your weight' mean in this situation?

'Simon, people in your team are complaining that you are being lazy and letting people do things that you should be doing. You can't do this, you have to pull your weight.'

• To work as hard as other people on something

• To say that you think what somebody has said is correct

• To not be aggressive with people    

Answer explanation

Pull your weight:(expression) This is used to tell somebody that they are not working as hard as they should be on something and that they have to work harder. It is normally used as a warning.When telling somebody they have to work harder, you use 'have/has to' or 'need to' in front of the expression.

What does my hands are tied mean in this situation?

'I know you don't like this decision and I wish I could change it, but my hands are tied. I have no control over the decision.'

• To tell a person they have to do something

• To suggest that somebody does something

• To say you can't do something about a decision/situation

Answer explanation

My hands are tied:(expression) This expression is used to tell somebody that you are not able to change something you are telling them about. It is used in situations when the person/people are not happy with what you are telling them and they want you to change it.Normally, the reason why you can't do anything ('your hands are tired') is because somebody more important than you has decided what you are telling them or because of procedures or regulations which have to be followed.

What does dropped the ball mean in this situation?

'Sorry, it was me. I dropped the ball. I told him the wrong time for the meeting.'

• To say/admit you made a mistake

• To say you didn't make a mistake

• To say you know nothing about what happened

Answer explanation

Dropped the ball:(expression) This is a commonly used way to say that you 'made a mistake' or 'did something badly' and often used in the past tense. Normally, this is used for serious/important mistakes.

What does we don't see eye to eye mean in this situation?

'We don't see eye to eye on what we should do next. Simon thinks we should tell the customer about the problem and I don't.'

• To explain a problem to somebody

• To say you don't agree with or have the same opinion as another person

• To offer to help somebody to finish something

Answer explanation

We don't see eye to eye:(expression) This is used to say that you and another person disagree on something. Normally, it is used you don't have the same opinion on how to do something (e.g. how to solve a problem, run a team etc...). Normally, you would follow this expression with 'on' and what you disagree on.

What does 'hit the nail on the head' mean in this situation?

'I think that John hit the nail on the head when he said that the problem is caused by people being confused about what our company does.'

• To say that you completely (100%) agree with what somebody has said

• To ask for people's opinions on how to solve a problem

• To say 'no' to a suggestion that somebody has made

Answer explanation

Hit the nail on the head:(expression) Although this expression means you agree with what somebody has said, it is only used in situations where you are talking about problems. It is normally used when the other person has given their opinion on what the cause(s) of the problem are.

What does 'the bottom line is' mean in this situation?

'I spoke about it in a meeting with my manager yesterday and the bottom line is we don't have the money to buy new computers in the company I'm afraid.'

• To ask for help on something

• To introduce some serious/bad news

• To say/admit you made a mistake

Answer explanation

The bottom line is:(expression) In business English this expression is used mainly when a person wants to tell another person/people some very important information in a very direct way. In this context, it is normally always used when telling serious and negative news.

What does to 'think outside the box' mean in this situation?

'We can't keep doing things like both we and everybody else have always done. So I want you to think outside the box and think of some innovative ways that we can increase sales.'

• To be creative or original when thinking of how to do things

• To say that you are not happy about a situation

• To copy somebody else's idea on how to do something

Answer explanation

Think outside the box:(expression) This basically means that a person doesn't just copy how others do things, but comes up with innovative and original ways/methods to do them. This expression is often used when a business wants to find new ways to improve sales, because the ones they have used have not been successful.

What does 'on the right track' mean in this situation?

'It is my opinion that our company is on the right track at the moment. The changes we have made will mean higher sales in the future.'

• To be doing something in a way which will result in failure

• To tell somebody that something has gone wrong

• To be doing something in a way which you think will result in success

Answer explanation

On the right track:(expression) This is used in business to say that you believe the actions that a business or person is doing will result in them being successful (e.g. earning a good profit, getting a better job etc...).

What does 'haven't got a clue' mean in this situation?

Manager: 'So, John. Can you think of anything we can do to solve this problem?'

John: 'Sorry, I haven't got a clue. I can't think of anything at the moment.'

• To make a suggestion on how to do something

• To have no idea about how to do something

• To say you don't agree or have the same opinion as another person

Answer explanation

Haven't got a clue:(expression) This can be used in two different ways. The first is when you want to say that you can't think of any way to solve a problem or improve something. The second meaning is when you don't know anything about a situation (e.g. where a person is) or how to do something (e.g. to use an application).